Dan's Commentary on C-songs

Thanks, Cory, for putting this together. I know you’ve been stressing out over your CMC contributions, but am glad you were willing to put it all out on the line and give us some music from your heart. Where a lot of the collections to date have been centered around a particular musical theme (even “In The Beginning,” which focused on some hard-hitting stuff), your main theme (beyond the “C” thing, obviously) appeared to be songs that have special significance to you, personally. Beyond just purely liking them, that is. Songs that are attached to memories and experiences and so on. So when I say, “putting yourself on the line,” that’s pretty much what I mean. So, with that…

1. Cheap Is How I Feel: The Cowboy Junkies are a band that I don't know much about, but about which I have been curious for a number of years. The feel of this song is similar to what I picture most of their music being like; and it is definitely one of my favorite styles: alt-country. I think the mandolin & accordian are a nice addition to the song-definitely adding to the soundscape without being over the top. I especially love the ascension on the mandolin that parallels a upward sweeping portamento in the steel guitar. And finally, I love the words in this song. I may have said this in another post, but there are words like the words in "We Live Again" by Beck, where the greatness lies in the evokative images & metaphors, but the exact meaning is a little unclear (U2 can also do this a lot). And then there are the great lyrics by people like Paul Simon & Mike Ireland-a fascinating talent of taking very ordinary words & phrases but using them to express very unique and powerful ideas. The lyrics to this song fit into the latter category. Great song!

2. Carnival: A tale of two songs for me, really. Pretty decent words. And I love the rhythm section in this song and the lilting, responsive phrasing of the electric guitar. Whether from 10,000 Maniacs or in her solo career, I actually use the mix and arrangement of Natalie Merchant songs as a model of what to strive for in recording & mixing a number of my own songs. That said, I've never been a huge fan of Natalie Merchant's voice (and I realize that may put me in some fairly exclusive company with respect to my peers). Just too damned nasally. And that echoey falsetto voice that comes in for "have I been blind/have I been lost;" good Lord, but that annoys me to the point at which I almost lose the ability to focus on much else that's going on at that moment. Not ever really a big fan of the "shadow voice" effect (as I will call it) in any song, and this one in particular. Also-and someone correct me if they think I'm hearing this wrong, or let me know if this struck anyone else as odd: CHRIST, but I think Natalie Merchant thinks the word is Hyp-MO-tized!!! Come on, Natalie! You're by all accounts a bright woman; how can you not get this? This is like GW Bush's "nucular" or Home Simpson's "saxamaphone." It, also, drives me nuts. Between shadow voice and "hypmotize," I think this song is driving...me...CRAZY!!!

3. Cherry: Just not a big fan of Neil Diamond, either as a singer or as a songwriter. I can appreciate his contributions to the history of popular music, and I’m not going to question the talents of a man who has developed and sustained such a deep and devoted following through the years, or who has composed such an extraordinary collection of hits both for himself and other artists; and in addition, I think he, as a person, is a trip. Kind of like in a William Shatner sort of way. But he’s never floated my boat, music-wise. Gibbs once expressed some surprise over this, as I tend to be regarded as a “melody guy;” and I don’t know what to say about that. Is it just his voice? Is it the arrangement? Or are the melodies just a little (or a lot) too simple for me? All I know is that, through all the years of having KOOL-108 on my car radio settings, an occurrence of Neil Diamond always spurred a quick change to DRIVE-105. This song is really no exception; it really just does nothing for me. I think the words are trite and the melody doesn’t get me going at all. Anyone else notice that the song begins almost exactly like Mellencamp’s “R-O-C-K in the U-S-A?” Oh well, I guess when you have two artists whose entire careers were based upon three chords, it’s bound to happen sooner or later.

4. Cover Me: OK, Cory, level with me. Do you really, really love this song, or did you put this song on as a tribute to an album that you really, really love because it was the only one that started with a “C?” I don’t want to get in the habit of questioning song selection in the CMC, but I ask mainly because in your song comments you didn’t really address this song at all, just the album as a whole. For my part, I’ve always considered this one of Springsteen’s weaker songs; in fact (ironically), perhaps my least favorite song I have ever heard from him, though; admittedly, I have pretty much only heard his radio hits. I know he is considered a pretty notable and influential charcter in the history of rock and roll, but I don’t really see much evidence of that groundbreaking musical force in this song; at least from a tune (doesn’t seem particularly interesting to me) or lyrical (seems pretty uninventive to me) standpoint. I don’t think it sounds terrible, but it doesn’t I do a whole lot for me, either. I do think it’s a really good vocal performance-the guy belts out those words. What can I say? He’s The Boss.

5. Crash: This is a really nice song. Nice to know about the personal connexion, Clogger. That’s the sort of thing that, putting all other considerations aside, can lift your appreciation of a particular song to a level that others can never truly understand. I think it also puts status of the song into sort of an “untouchable” sort of status, whereby you are off-limits to any sort of criticism or mockery about your love of the song. That is, unless the song is “Kokomo.” All that said, I do like this song. I think, a month after it was initially said, I would like to finally give some mad props to Gibbons for capturing what, to me, is the essence of the DMB: “They have made beautiful music and they have made boring music and they have made too much music.” Hilarious! And (with all due respect to Aaron Johnson, who loves them so) so true!!! (for me, anyway). The length and craziness and virtuousity and various other factors have conspired to drive me away from listening much to a lot of their more jam-style songs, but I really have enjoyed the “softer side of DMB.” This song and “Satellite” (yes, another band where my knowledge is pretty much limited to radio fare). If you dig through all the flannel and silly dancing and dreadlocks and supernatural instrumentation, what you can find with this band are some really nice words. What a lovely little love song! Simple and elegant, the lyrics. Understated and not overdone, the arrangement and, of course, flawless, the performances. I don’t love his voice but I would say it falls into the same family of singers into which PatMix or PatGib or I once classified Peter Gabriel in saying, “he does the best with what he has.” Dave certainly does. Among other things, I love the little acoustic(?) guitar trill at 2:24. Listen for that, guys, if you can. Hey, could you interpret these words as being sinister? Like if he was a vampire or something? I wonder how pervasive this is in the DMB catalog...You could really come away thinking they’re a pretty twisted little band.

6. Come Together: What can I say? Very groundbreaking, both in terms of arrangement (the Beatles were around their height of uninhibited exploration of sound and arrangement) and crazy, psychedelic tripped-out words. "Dripping with art," as PGibby would say. I love the way John can write these phrases that sound almost like a real phrase or meaningful set of words, but that (at a second look) are actually nonsense. But then, (at a third look) you wonder if there really might be some kind of meaning in there, but you never really know for sure. If anyone ever has the chance to read “In His Own Write,” a book by John Lennon, you will have a hard time coming away from the reading not thinking he had one of the greatest commands over the English language of anyone who has ever lived. That was certainly my experience. He also wrote a book called “A Spaniard in the Works,” which I have not read but want to. Imagine an entire book that basically reads like an extended version of “Come Together” or “I am the Walrus” It’s pretty amazing (I think so, anyway). Beyond that is the (yes, I’m going to say it) underrated arrangement of the Beatles. I’ve never heard anything like Ringo’s drum roll/fill that is the signature of this song. And for those who lean towards listening toward the entirety of a song, rather than concentrating on individual parts of the whole at different times, you are definitely not getting your fullest out of the Beatles. In this song, listen to the drums, of course; Paul’s wild bass line that jumps octaves during the verse, and Paul’s great harmony that comes in during the second verse. I love that harmony of Paul’s. I think he uses that voice a bit for humorous purposes; if I was using a voice like that, I would be. But it definitely sounds great-that back of throat, announcer-sort of calling voice that complements John so well. Like everything the Beatles ever did, this song has been subjected to an insane amount of interpretation through the years; people trying to figure out what he was “trying to say.” More likely than not, he was just plain having fun with words, but maybe hiding a little satirical dig a few places in there. Somehow, though, out of it came this idea that “Come Together” was like one of the primary anthems for the 60s and its assorted leftist movements. Pretty silly, if you ask me. The interpretation, that is, not the movements. One final thing to listen for: growly electric guitar “dang dang dang” during the “Come together/right now/over me” parts. I think that sound may have been supremely influential for legions of hard rock bands that followed. Great song. Great band.

7. City: Bleah. Everything in this song seems to be a tired, old, top-40 alternative music cliché. From the “cool” distorted guitar sound kicking off the song, to the middle-of-the-road crunch of the rhythm guitars, to the very first unimaginative and hair-on-the-back-of-my-neck-raisingly-bad line about drowning “in a river of pain” this song doesn’t let up on things that turn me off. It’s crazy, actually: what is it about some of these phrases? While I don’t think they necessarily have ever been written before, word for word, there is instance after instance of lines with metaphors that seem overused, tired, and just plain bad. As though someone was thinking, “I’m going to write song alternative music words. Doo-dee-doo. Here I am writing alternative music words!” Other instances: “calling out your name,” “heading in my direction,” “change the way they feel,” wonder what you’ve become,” “I left the me I used to be.” It just bugs me. And the tune does nothing for me-I understand you like the song Cory, but to me it just sounds like a “filler song” on an album. Or something from the “Friends” soundtrack. Sorry to rip on the song so much; I understand you like it. And I’m sorry if unleashed a string of perjoratives, but I couldn’t express my feelings in any other way. This is my LFS (Least Favorite Song) from this collection.

8. Cecilia: Whew. On to Cecilia. What’s not to like? Catchy (in a way that, to me, is superior to Neil Diamond catchiness-I guess that’s just the subjective nature of music). Simple words, but probably quite striking to those who heard it in its initial release. Also quite uncharacteristic, arrangement and word-wise for Simon & Garfunkel. Not all that much more to say about this one. Really nice song.

9. Call Me: Once again risking putting myself in rather exclusive company amongst my peers; boy, I just don’t dig Blondie. Aside from “The Tide is High,” I never have. And, as an aside: in the whole “Hot or Not Hot” debate regarding various dolled-up female CMC artists: my vote for Blondie? NOT. I think it’s a realtively interesting song. Words not amazing, but they fit the song well. Tune, reasonably inventive. I can even see why people might like it. For some reason, I don’t. I’m trying hard to be aware of whether I don’t like Blondie songs because they just don’t appeal to me at all or if because I am just sick of them all. I think it’s an objective view, but I can’t say for sure.

10. City of Blinding Lights: Dude, about of a fifth of the music you love is because it reminds you of Minnesota. You really need to move up here. And WOW-favorite song of all time? That’s a pretty weighty piece of knowledge for the commentor to carry into discussion of the song. Strangely, I don’t own this album yet, so this was the first I’d heard this song. As is often the case with U2, it’s been a slow evolution for me of appreciation for the song, and I’m guessing it’s not yet peaked. In the way I appear to feel Natalie Imbruglia is not, I feel Bono is the “master of the metaphor.” A really pleasant little main riff, isn’t it? And some nice words. And Adam Clayton’s bassline? Oh my God, the man is AMAZING! (tee hee). No, I do like the song. It’s not yet achieved any sort of legendary status in my world of U2 song appreciation, but glad I had the chance to hear it on this collection.

Executive summary: Thanks again for putting this together, dog. On a couple of songs that I did not particuarly dig, I hope it didn’t come across as too harsh. Not really having much of a unifying musical theme, it was kind of tough for me to find a flow (as in your mountain-climbing introduction to the collection). There were a couple of songs that I absolutely love on the collection, and I have to give special mention to “Cause Cheap is How I Feel,” because otherwise, it might have been a collection in which I wasn’t introduced to anything that I both didn’t know previously and ended up liking a lot. As such, that’s my vote for BS. SIWHI: there’s lots: Calico Skies (McCartney) Call Me Back Again (also McCartney), Can I Sleep in Your Arms Tonight (Willie Nelson), Cry (Mike Ireland), Crazy (Patsy Cline-written by Willie), Controversy (Prince), Cool Change (Little River Band), Cool Cool River (Paul Simon), Coat of Many Colors (Dolly Parton), Closer to Fine (Indigo Girls), Christmas Past (Mike Ireland), Caroline Says (VU), C-Moon (McCartney), Can I Forgive Him? (Paul Simon) among probably others…Thanks again!

Mix - Sea Songs and Me

Volume 5 courtesy of T-Clog

General comments

In thirteen years we may be able to look back on the A-Z song collections with wistful longing for simpler days (good luck with Q beeyotch) but for now we con only imagine what might comenext.

There are many qualities that our friend T-Clog possesses, and one of them is a straight-forward sensibility. There's no BS here. These are songs that he likes that start with C. The rest of us may torture ourselves trying to be intentionally obscure, 'clever', or whatever, but in the end, what this endeavor is about is songs we like, and if they all happen to start with the same letter, so be it.

The other thing that probably most impacts our choices is the experiences we had when we first became conscious of the songs. Mighty Tom has his 'sprinkles', I've had amazing experiences running to Rattle and Hum, and clearly T-Clog has picked songs that have imprinted themselves on him. He remembers when he first heard them and I think those original listening experiences were very positive and so forever influenced his opinions of these songs. We've all experienced this phenomenon, even with songs that in retrospect are maybe not as great as we recall. With that statement, I've probably instilled a sense of dread with our friend, but never fear.

'cause Cheap is How I Feel - Cowboy Junkies
I like the Cowboy Junkies. They have a really great version of Sweet Jane, and I own their album Black-Eyed Man, which is excellent. Margo Timmins has a great voice, very unique, and their songwriting is universally excellent. They have a country sound that would have been at home on Minnesota Connections, though they're from Canada, so that won't work. Although if there's anywhere in the US most like Canada, MN may be it. I didn't know this song, but it's a good representation of them at their most country. While Dan can debate that country has a certain musical structure that separates it from the blues, for me, both those styles are about the lyrics, and in that they overlap. Songs about simple people with problems, down and out, but never really giving up. This is a classic country song. It wouldn't make me buy this album, but it cements the CJ's as a very solid and reliable band.

So was T-Clog sneaking off to UNI in high school to drink? BLASPHEMY!

Carnival - Natalie Merchant
My sister introduced me to 10,000 Maniacs when they released In My Tribe, which it turns out was their 4th album. Oddly enough, they didn't really seem to last much longer than that album. Apparently success hit them rather hard, and soon the prominent lead singer was off on her own. Like Margo Timmins, Natalie has a unique voice. This song also shows off her song-writing skills, which when coupled with her voice is a powerful elixir. My infatuation with the Maniacs and Natalie was short lived but intense. I have not followed her career to any great extent since the release of Tigerlily, from which this song is mined, but I retain a strong appreciation for her talents.

I'm thinking that there was a large contigent of Forestry majors that would have beaten their classmates up for listening to NM all the time.

Cherry Cherry - Neil Diamond
This is from Neil's debut, 1967's Just For You. Not a bad start. If T-Clog's introduction was in Mighty Tom's car, I assume it was not the Fairlane, with it's emphasis on the saxophone, and complete lack of tape player. As far as T-Clog having orgasmic experiences in the presence of Mighty Tom, not only is that road well travelled, but also the less said the better.

Everything about this song says 60's. The arrangement, the lyrics, you name it. It certainly makes you wonder whether 'cherry' was playing a double role here, and whether it was trying to slide under the radar. Gonna make our own lightning indeed.

I like the simple guitar and the handclaps as percussion. The organ, or whatever that is back there, is a little extraneous, but all in all, it's a groovy tune. I had some good experiences in college listening to ND. We used to sing along to his greatest hits in studio late at night when things were needing some levity. He has a special place in my heart.

Wow. I just checked out what else was on that debut album. Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon (Urge Overkill - featured prominently in Pulp Fiction), Red, Red Wine (UB40, of course), I'm a Believer (The Monkees), Shilo, and Solitary Man. That's a fucking blockbuster debut if you ask me. That might be worth checking out.

Cover Me - Bruce Springsteen
I like Bruce, but I've come to like his recent stuff - stripped down and acoustic, more then his middle era stuff. He is a great songwriter, particularly when conveying the trials and tribulations of the everyman. This song would not rank highly on my list of Springsteen songs. It's generally not showing off his best attributes, it's just a bit too poppy for me. He's at his best when he manages to work words and ideas into songs that don't seem very song worthy.

I never got caught up in the Born in the USA phenomenon. In 1984 I was far more likely to be into The Police or Men at Work, stuff that was a little less blue collar.

Crash - Dave Matthews Band
I definitely got caught up in the DMB phenomenon starting with UTTAD. I might have even been slightly ahead of the curve. Nothing could have kept me from buying Crash, this being the title track. I extolled on the virtues of Dave as a guitarist on Volume 4's comments, so I won't revisit that. This album is chock full of great songs, at least half of which are specifically about seizing the day, a great sentiment.

This is another of those subversive songs, perhaps like Cherry Cherry, that got voluminous radio play without anyone really bothering to understand what exactly he was saying. This is not a song about seizing the day, exactly. This is a song about fucking. Unabashed, if thinly veiled. It seems like the song of a man rememebering what it was like to be a boy.

This song shows off the bands tightness with very crisp playing and a very full sound without being overdone, which can be the curse of DMB and other like-minded bands. Dave Matthews is an artist it might be interesting to hang out with. He's got an interesting history, having been born in South Africa, and eventually spending his later childhood in North Carolina. If you've ever wondered exactly what that accent is, that combination may explain it.

(note - I had finished the first half of the comments last night, and today Dan posted his, which I read, so the following comments may in some way comment on Dan's comments)

Come Together - The Beatles
There is no question that The Beatles were masterful musicians and songwriters. There are those that listen to music and here the mechanics of it, while for me, the act of listening is equal parts overall feel and lyrics. I can certainly acknowledge the skillful playing and arrangement, but that would also be true of classical or jazz or many other types of music, but if your're going to write a song with lyrics, and the lyrics are incomprehensible, that song is going to suffer in my mind. This song is among my least favorite Beatles songs of all time. Maybe even the least favorite. I may actually prefer Revolution 9 to this song, because it was truly off the wall in every respect, while this is a song that has all the standard song parts, but with lyrics that seem like they may have been filler waiting for replacements.

I know nothing of John Lennon's literary writing career, so I can't comment on his grasp and manipulation of the English language. There may be far more to this song than I am capable of taking in, like Ulysses by James Joyce, or it may in fact just be a well orchestrated joke of sorts. If it's the former, I guess I will forever remain outside looking in, and if the latter, what a waste.

City - Natalie Imbruglia
The only other song I know by the former Australia soap star (why I know that is a mystery in itself) is Torn, which I now can only associate with this video. Torn was a catchy little number, one of a multitude of similar pop hits. Is the world better for their existence. Probably. I cannot say the same for this song. Nothing about it intrigues me.

Cecilia - Simon & Garfunkel
Ahh, a breath of fresh air. Another subversive song, and two collections in a row with S&G. All that has been said about them, could be said again. Great musicianship and song-writing. Here's another song with twisted lyrics. Not the Poignant Santa exactly, but a deviousness that the Dave Matthews in Crash could surely appreciate.

It's a song that makes you want to get up and dance, but if you listen close you begin to wonder....is that....what....wow. That slut. This kid is infatuated with a prostitute. Ouch. It could be the same kid in Crash some 20 years later.

Great song. Great partnership. Great fun.

Call Me - Blondie
Blondie might have found themselves wandering through the latter day halls that birthed the VU. It would have been quite a trip to have had access to that 70's NYC music scene, seeing the rise of the VU, Blondie, Talking Heads, The Ramones, and on and on....

I like the music of Blondie that I know, and liked it even when it first came out. Of course, what I know is entirely based on radio airplay and a greatest hits collection, but her appeal is undeniable, and she (Deborah Harry) was certainly a pioneer among female artists, showing a rougher edge and being slightly trampy, and heading an otherwise all male band.

It's no wonder that T-Clog imagines Dr. Who when he hears this song, that very dated keyboard is almost playing the Dr. Who theme song. As such it defeinitely eliminates any chance of this song being considered timeless, though that's not to say it's not a good song. I like it, and it's definitely good party music and emminently jazzable.

City of Bliding Lights - U2
Bono and the boys have been making music to satisfy my soul for more than 20 years. Their latest albums continue a solid tradition of high quality music craft. While my favorite albums remain alternately Joshua Tree and Actung Baby, HTDAAB is universally excellent, and this song is one of my favorites from it.

It's got most of the U2 hallmarks. Good lyrics, ringing guitars, intricate drum playing, and serviceable bass. If nothing else Adam Clayton is probably bringing the beer, and never lets Bono get too uppity, so keeping him in the band is good for everyone. This song does have some crazy new guitar(?) effect going on - something that sounds a bit like bells ringing but clearly isn't.

I would say that this album sort of shows that Bono's best songwriting happens as a result of some larger inspiration, one that is lacking here. He still can pull off some solid songwriting, but it's no match for the heart rending of Achtung Baby, or the defiant anthemics of Joshua Tree. Those albums were much more snapshots in time that could never be duplicated. This album and the one that proceeded it are more universal, the product of a band spending less time sharing experiences together outside the studio. Still a joy, but not a revelation.

Parting Shots
From the beginning, T-Clog was a little reluctant to join in our little reindeer game. He's doesn't have the same thirst for music that I think the rest of us have. He loves music, and it gets him jazzed, but it's never been a principle activity in his life. Music for him is a glorious sunset, fleeting but elctrifying, while for the rest of us, to a greater or lesser degree, music has been the very air we breathe or a crisp fall day, something absolutely necessary for survival, or at the very least something to be walked through and absorbed by.

We all bring a unique take on music. We are shaped by it. And our friend T-Clog is no different. Bring on D-Songs! (but don't lose track of poor A and B)

Miles' Comments on Volumes I-III?

Is this going to happen? I understood originally that Mixdorf was going to copy those CDs and get them to you, Miles. Is that still the plan, or were you just thinking you'd pick up where you entered and go from there?

I'm Hangin' on to My Shorts

January is wrapping up soon and then Miles will fire off his CD. I'm just curious as to when I can expect some comments on C-songs. I'm hangin' on, but dying to hear the reviews. Whatever, I will remain patient.

T-clog's Thoughts on C-songs

C-songs: Volume 5 (T-clog, January 06’)

Greetings from T-clog productions! A big thank you for listening to C-songs and for reading the following notes! My intent in this album is to take your mind on a trip starting with a walk across the flat plains and ending by releasing your mind from the top of a tall mountain where it will drift back towards the horizon. The first two songs, ‘Cause Cheap Is How I Feel and Carnival, start us off on our journey over the dry low laying plains which are rich in living waters. Our mind continues to move slowly over this land getting us warmed up for the refreshing and upbeat climb that is yet to come.

Not long into this album we begin to feel the foothills of this musical trip. Cherry Cherry and Cover Me provide some good bouldering and a few switchbacks, but we are still getting acclimated to the increasing slope of this landscape. The view from here is amazing and it will get even more refreshing the higher we climb. The blood pumping through my mind is full of good chemicals and I look towards the mesa that is just ahead in Crash.

The mesa will give me a chance to take in the journey that is already behind us. Crash is a familiar tune and one that could let our minds relax, and give us the opportunity to take it all in. I think that this mesa is placed in the right spot in our journey. Especially before we get to the mind rushing trails of the mountain.

The next four songs take us higher up the mountain. They also take us to the summit where we will launch off of the mountain and glide back with the spirit of the last song. I think ending our journey on this album with U2 is perfect. I hope that City of Blinding Lights does for you what it does for me. For me, it makes me want to take this trip again soon.

‘Cause Cheap Is How I Feel – Cowboy Junkies: I first heard of the Cowboy Junkies while visiting my friend Jim at UNI. They have a sound that fits the mood that was called for while chilling out, drinking beer, and playing cards. I think of the fun that I had while being a high school student and visiting my friend at UNI. This particular song has a great harmonica aspect to it. The harmonica has a special place in my heart. It’s sound always makes me think of my grandfather. He had one that he use to play, and a few months before he died he gave it to me to keep. This song is very relaxing to me and is one of my favorites played by the Cowboy Junkies.

Carnival – Natalie Merchant: There are some pretty mean bass in this song. It beats right through me, and I swear that it changes how the blood in my body flows. This song gives my blood more oxygen and sends out chemicals that make me happy. It is funny how a song that is not designed to get you up on the floor can somehow do just that. I guess that I am just an odd ball. J I first experienced Natalie Merchant while working with some forestry friends in Bessy’s computer lab at ISU. Andy Clark was a big fan and he played it a lot. He also seemed to have it on every time I rode in his truck to and from forestry project sites. I guess that I fell in love with her through exposure. I found myself buying the album through my first music club (MBG). Let me say this, CMC is hands down 100 times better!

Cherry Cherry – Neil Diamond: Neil Freak’in Diamond! He is one of my favorite artists and I had to include him on my first album. Eagle Mountain blew life into me, and I swear that I heard him for the first time while in Pat’s car. I know that Jason played him a lot, but WOW, I got it with Gibbs. It was like a musical orgasm listening to and singing Holly Holy with Gibbs in his car. Beautiful golden birch leaves on all sides of the road with a natural ticker-tape celebration falling all around us. We did not listen to this song, but it is one of his older and more seasoned tunes. I just love it, and I present it to you with a jovial heart.

Cover Me – Bruce Springsteen: The first album that I ever owned was “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen. It was on tape. My second album was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, but I won’t say anymore about him or his pet monkey. I love this album so much that it was the first CD that I ever bought. I first heard the album while at a Boy Scout troop meeting at Lincoln Elementary in Waterloo. A couple of older scouts had a boom box so they brought it to the meeting. They also brought a Scorpion tape. I knew that I had to have the album, so when my birthday came around, I asked for it. In my opinion, there is not a bad song on that album. Believe it or not, my least favorite is the title song. Please don’t tell the other statesmen, they might revoke my honorary title.

Crash – Dave Matthews Band: Sarah and I almost picked this to be our wedding song. I absolutely love the DMB hit! This song was the most played song in my truck when I was dating Sarah. It seemed to capture the essences of what I was feeling when thinking of her, and it always makes me think of her even today. I could set up camp on this mesa and spend the rest of my life there. I still feel that way about her and we think of the song as our unofficial wedding song. To steal the words from Dan, it is a perfect song to me!

Come Together – Beatles: To me this song is like the theme song for this music club. We all come together to hear music that means something to the person that assembled the album. Some of it new, some of it old, some of it okay, and a lot of it just awesome! The Beatles are a group that I did not hear much of until I started working at summer camp. At camp, the Beatles echoed from the ecology cabin on a regular basis. I still think of camp whenever I hear the Beatles. It is hard to find a bad Beatles song in my opinion.

City – Natalie Imbruglia: I bought this album for Torn, but as I listened to the album I found that I liked City more and more. It is a song that once again reminds me of big cities like Minneapolis and Chicago. She has a voice that yanks your ear back to the stereo and demands that you give her a shot. There is some electric guitar in this song that gives this song a very urban feel. I really like it and I hope that you find it new.

Cecilia – Simon & Garfunkel: This is one of my favorite songs to blast loud. In my last year of college I had a single room and I would often turn it up and let the bass just blow me away. I love this song, and it was one of the S&G hits that really threw me into the ring of being a fan. She may be classified as a whore if you leave for a spell and someone else is taking your place in your bed. That’s messed up! With that put aside, this is a great song and it makes Uncle Funky want to return to the floor.

Call Me – Blondie: This is my favorite Blondie song. Totally an oldie, but it rules in my book of getting jazzed music. I can get out of a funk easy when I hear this tune. It also puts me in a mood to watch Dr. Who. Don’t know why but it does. My cousins listened to Blondie all of the time and I have great memories from visiting them in Osage, Iowa. Because I think of them, I also think about the Dungeons and Dragon games that we use to play while listening to tunes such as Call Me. Tracy was a dungeon master and Troy made models and castles for adventures.

City of Blinding Lights – U2: This song is part of the inspiration for C-songs. I knew that I wanted to include this song, Call Me, and Crash on my first album, but I could not tie them together on any kind of theme. Then suddenly it hit me that they all start with the letter C. “That’s it”, I said to myself. C-songs was born and the search for other great songs began about a month and a half ago. Back to this song. I will go on record saying that this IS my favorite song. I’m not talking about just on this album, but rather my favorite song to date. It takes me to that place in my head where all of those great times in Minnesota live. I remember the fishing trips with my dad, times with friends, trips with my children and wife, and the time that I lived there. In each of these I remember the Twin Cities shinning beautifully in the day and at night. It just kicks ass! Thanks U2!

Lyrics For Volume 5 - from The Lyric Man

'cause Cheap is How I Feel - Cowboy Junkies

It's the kind of night that's so cold, when you spit
it freezes before it hits the ground
And when a bum asks you for a quarter, you give a dollar
if he's out tonight he must be truly down
And I'm searching all the windows for a last minute present
to prove to you that what I said was real,
for something small and frail and plastic, baby,
'cause cheap is how I feel

Half moon in the sky tonight, bright enough
to come up with an answer
to the question why is it that every time I see you
my love grows a little stronger
But your memory leaves my stomach churning,
feeling like a lie about to be revealed,
but I'll horde all this to myself
'cause cheap is how I feel

It's not the smell in here that gets to me it's the lights
I hate the shadows that they cast,
and the sound of clinking bottles is the one sure thing
I'll always drag with me from my past
I think I'll find a pair of eyes tonight, to fall into
and maybe strike a deal
Your body for my soul, fair swap
`cause cheap is how I feel

Carnival - Natalie Merchant

I've walked these streets
a virtual stage
it seemed to me
make up on their faces
actors took their
places next to me

I've walked these streets
in a carnival
of sights to see
all the cheap thrill seekers
the vendors and the dealers
they crowded around me

have I been blind
have I been lost
inside my self and
my own mind
hypnotized
mesmerized
by what my eyes have seen?

I've walked these streets
in a spectacle of wealth and poverty
in the diamond markets
the scarlet welcome carpet
that they just rolled out for me

I've walked these streets
in the mad house asylum
they can be
where a wild eyed misfit prophet
on a traffic island stopped
and he raved of saving me

have I been blind
have I been lost
inside my self and
my own mind
hypnotized
mesmerized
by what my eyes have seen?

have I been wrong
have I been wise
to shut my eyes
and play along
hypnotized
paralyzed
by what my eyes have found
by what my eyes have seen
what they have seen?

(A1)
have I been blind
have I been lost

have I been wrong
have I been wise
have I been strong

Have I been
hypnotized
mesmerized
by what my eyes have found
in that great street carnival
(Repeat from A1)
in that carnival? (last time only)

Cherry Cherry - Neil Diamond

Baby loves me
Yes, yes she does
Ah, the girl's outta sight, yeah
Says she loves me
Yes, yes she does
Gonna show me tonight, yeah

She got the way to move me, Cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
She got the way to groove me

Tell your mamma, girl, I can't stay long
We got things we gotta catch up on
Mmmm, you know
You know what I'm sayin'
Can't stand still while the music is playin'
Y'ain't got no right
No, no you don't
Ah, to be so exciting
Won't need bright lights
No, no we won't
Gonna make our own lighting

She got the way to move me, Cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
She got the way to groove me

No, we won't tell a soul where we gone to
Girl, we do whatever we want to
Ah, I love the way that you do me
Cherry, babe, you really get to me

She got the way to move me, Cherry
She got the way to groove me
She got the way to move me
She got the way to groove me

Cover Me - Bruce Springsteen

The times are tough now, just getting tougher
This old world is rough, it's just getting rougher
Cover me, come on baby, cover me
Well I'm looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me
Promise me baby you won't let them find us
Hold me in your arms, let's let our love blind us
Cover me, shut the door and cover me
Well I'm looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me

Outside's the rain, the driving snow
I can hear the wild wind blowing
Turn out the light, bolt the door
I ain't going out there no more

This whole world is out there just trying to score
I've seen enough I don't want to see any more,
Cover me, come on and cover me
I'm looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me
Looking for a lover who will come on in and cover me

Crash - Dave Matthews

You've got your ball,
You've got your chain
Tied to me tight, tie me up again.
Who's got their claws
In you my friend?
Into your heart I'll beat again
Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock,
And sweet you roll
Lost for you, I'm so lost for you

Oh, and you come crash into me
And I come into you
And I come into you
In a boy's dream
In a boy's dream

Touch your lips just so I know
In your eyes, love, it glows so
I'm bare-boned and crazy... for you.

Oh, and you come crash into me
Baby, and I come into you
In a boy's dream
In a boy's dream

And if I've gone overboard
Then I'm begging you
To forgive me
In my haste
When I'm holding you so girl,
Close to me

Oh and you come crash into me, yeah
Baby, and I come into you
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show the world to me
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show your world to me
In a boy's dream
In a boy's dream

Oh, I watch you there
Through the window
And I stare at you
You wear nothing, but you
Wear it so well
Tied up and twisted,
The way I'd like to be
For you, for me, come crash into me, baby
Come crash into me, yeah

Crash into me...
Crash into me...
Crash into me...

You know, I'm the king of the castle,
You're the dirty rascal, crash into me.
Please crash into me, baby...

Oh, no no no...
Yes, I see the waves
Come and crash into me.
See the waves come and crash into me.
Crash into me.

Come Together - The Beatles

Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly
He got joo-joo eyeball he one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker he just do what he please

He wear no shoeshine he got toe-jam football
He got monkey finger he shoot coca-cola
He say "I know you, you know me"
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come together right now over me

He bag production he got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard he one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease
Come together right now over me

He roller-coaster he got early warning
He got muddy water he one mojo filter
He say "One and one and one is three"
Got to be good-looking 'cause he's so hard to see
Come together right now over me

City - Natalie Imbruglia

Had a dream
Had a drowning dream I was in a river of pain
Only difference this time
I wasn’t calling out your name yeah!
Has it ended before it’s begun
You hold on
And I try to run but

Anybody heading in my direction
Away from the city
Anybody wanna change the way they feel
Step inside
Doesn’t really matter where you wanna take me
Away from the city
I wanna start again
I wanna start again
A wanna take it back
I wanna start again
Start again

Funny how those friends forget you when you tired of their games
You miss a show or a party that blows
And they’ve forgotten your name, yeah
And you wonder what you’ve become
They pull you back when you try to run

Well anybody heading in my direction
Away from the city
Anybody wanna change the way they feel
Step inside
Doesn’t really matter where you wanna take me
Away from the city
I wanna start again
I wanna start again
A wanna take it back
I wanna start again
Start again

I left the me I used to be
I wanna see this through
Left the me I used to be
If only you’d see it too
Well I wonder what you’ve become
You pull me back when I try to run

Well anybody heading in my direction
Away from the city
Anybody wanna change the way they feel
Step inside
Doesn’t really matter where you wanna take me
Away from the city
I wanna start again
I wanna start again
A wanna take it back
I wanna start again
Start again

Cecilia - Simon and Garfunkel

Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home

Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
Come on home

Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
Up in my bedroom (making love)
I got up to wash my face
When I come back to bed
Someone's taken my place

Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
Come on home

Jubilation, she loves me again,
I fall on the floor and I'm laughing,
Jubilation, she loves me again,
I fall on the floor and I'm laughing

Call Me - Blondie

Colour me your colour, baby
Colour me your car
Colour me your colour, darling
I know who you are
Come up off your colour chart
I know where you're comin' from
Call me (call me) on the line
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me) my love
You can call me any day or night
Call me

Cover me with kisses, baby
Cover me with love
Roll me in designer sheets
I'll never get enough
Emotions come, I don't know why
Cover up love's alibi

Call me (call me) on the line
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me) oh my love
When you're ready we can share the wine
Call me

Ooo-oo-oo-oo-oo, he speaks the languages of love
Ooo-oo-oo-oo-oo, amore, chiamami, chiamami
Ooo-oo-oo-oo-oo, appelle-moi mon cherie, appelle-moi
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any way
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any day-ay

Call me (call me) my love
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me) for a ride
Call me, call me for some overtime
Call me (call me) my love
Call me, call me in a sweet design
Call me (call me), call me for your lover's lover's alibi
Call me (call me) on the line
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me)
Oh, call me, oo-hoo-hah
Call me (call me) my love
Call me, call me any, anytime
[fade]

City of Blinding Lights - U2

The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now

Neon heart dayglo eyes
A city lit by fireflies
They're advertising in the skies
For people like us

And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground....

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Don't look before you laugh
Look ugly in a photograph
Flash bulbs purple irises
The camera can't see

I've seen you walk unafraid
I've seen you in the clothes you made
Can you see the beauty inside of me?
What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?

And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

Time... time
Won't leave me as I am
But time won't take the boy out of this man

Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
In the city of blinding lights

The more you know the less you feel
Some pray for others steal
Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel... luckily

T-clog's Comments on The Poignant Santa

The Poignant Santa: Volume 4 (Gibbons, December 05')

Some Are – David Bowie: I really like the clock sounds from the piano in the opening seconds. This song makes me think of the winter cursed land of Narnia. I imagine this song playing through the chilly halls of the White Witch’s darkened and frozen palace. I can almost see Mr. Tumnus running through the forest with the breath of the trees whispering this song to him. This is a very poignant song. It really paints a dark and scary picture in my head. I am almost scared. I think that it is good to be scared sometimes. Boo!

That’s The Way – Led Zepplin: Sad story of not being allowed to play with a friend anymore. Not a bad song at all. I enjoy the stretched out section of each Castanza. The line that gets me the most is about the fish laying there dying. The lyrics are poignant, thus a good choice to have on this album. Zepplin is not bad music, but not the kind that gets me jazzed to buy their albums. This is exactly what I was hoping for in this club. I always wanted to hear more Zepplin so that I could make a decision as to weather I should purchase any. I believe that one of my comments on Mixdorf’s album said that I wanted to hear more. Well I am, and thus far not sold on buying their albums. Could this change? Yes.

A Most Peculiar Man – Simon & Garfunkel: I can’t believe that I have never heard this song before. Where have I been? I think that it is an awesome song! I think of Mrs. Robinson right away. I have to admit that I just watched it the other day on TBS. I would have to say that Ben (Dustin Hoffman) was a very peculiar man. What a bizarre and twisted life he had going on in that movie. The song is very sad. I think of all the lonely people out in the world who need someone. If I never got married, I see myself drifting towards a peculiar man’s life. However, I hope that I would not commit suicide. This is a wonderful example of how great this club is in discovering great tunes. This is tied for my favorite song on this album.

Caroline Says II – The Velvet Underground: Is he talking or singing? Lou Reed is fine to hear every now and again. I have one album and I rarely listen to it. Why do they call her Alaska? I am curious to hear Caroline Says I. Are they related and by the same artist? I am guess that they are, but I am not 100% sure.

Photograph – Ringo Starr: The Feelings that get stirred up with this song are all warm and fuzzy. This is just a fun song. I think that this is one of his best efforts from his solo career. This song is also tied for my favorite on the album. When I hear this tune I remember two things. The first being my high school photography class and Pat’s trip to the Iowa State Fair to give Ringo a copy of a Time Did Yank Us demo. From high school this is the only positive experience that I had during my four years.

Thorn In My Side - Eurythmics: I agree with the rest of you on the Annie Lenox voice. I think that she has a great sound. The kind of voice that makes you want to hear more. I totally do! Gibbons do you have an album that you would recommend to a Eurythmics new bee? Just a very good song! Excellent pick MF’er!

Thinking About You – Radiohead: This song is an excellent driving tune. To me it actually works in keeping me thinking and staying alert. I think about all the good people in my life. I think of my wife and children, I think of God, and I think of my great friends. This type of tune is what I look for when driving to and from work. I may include it on a driving disc in the future for myself. Thanks Mighty Tom.

The End of the Spoon – Dave Matthews Band: I am a fan of DMB and I enjoy their music a lot. I own two albums and I think that they are very good. I have not heard a lot of DMB other than what is on my albums, but I am very interested in hear more of their work. Especially the older stuff. A man really can’t go wrong in putting a DMB song on his album. This song is a short and sweet flick that drives into your head and whispers encouragement that resonates through your entire body. I love the creaming instruments at the very end. Very bewitching to me.

We Live Again - Beck: This song reminds me of Back to the Future when Michael J. Fox is playing the guitar on stage and he starts to fade away. This would be a good tune to play in the locker rooms of a beaten team. It may drive some of them insane. This is probably my least favorite song on the album, but NOT a waste of listening time.

Babe I’m Gonna Leave You – Led Zepplin: This Zepplin song actually gets my interest going again in the direction of Zepplin. I know that they have a lot of tunes and I really should try to explore more of them rather than make a decision based on a few songs from CMC. One band that I want to hear more from is Pink Floyd. Damn, there are some good tunes from that band.

Bonus CD: Aint No Hollar Back Girl – Gwen Stephanie: Freakin love the song! Thanks for including it on a bonus CD. On the radio, there were swear words. When I got your version, there was nothing but the word shit smeared all over the song. I thought that it was funny. Weird how nothing was said about it.

Review: Frosty has nothing on The Poignant Santa! This is a very deep and emotional album that carries empathy, reflection, and purpose. Gibbons has compiled an album that speaks volumes on the human perspective. The vibes of this album also take to heart the talent and soul of the artists included. What a great album to any collector’s stash!

C-songs???

Just want to make sure that everyone got their CD. I heard from MT, Dan, and Mix. I have not heard from Miles or Aaron.

Volume 5 from T-clog

I just want you to know that it is in the mail. I asked Dan to make that announcement for me because my school computer, my only internet computer, broke yesterday afternoon. Thanks anyway Dan, but I found a laptop at school that I can use to do internet stuff until my other computer is fixed. You shouls get your C-songs soon. I want to mention that I had a lot of problems in making my cover. I bought a program that ended up being crap. There is at least two spelling errors on the inside cover. Imbrugla is supose to be Imbruglia, and cheep is supose to be cheap. I printed the wrong sheet and by the time I noticed I already had them glued together. July's will be better. I hope that you enjoy the tunes.

Dan's Comments on The Poignant Santa

1. Some Are: Wow-more befitting a Halloween album than a Christmas one, the way I hear it. The haunting overtones and spooky undertones speak of ghosts. In the sea! These are not sleds, I must concur. Boats. Definitely boats. Fell voices on the air? Nay, nay! In the sea. This can mean only one thing. This song is about the dead who sail the corsair ships along the coast to the mouth of the Anduin at Pelargir! But back to the music. I would be interested in hearing how this song fits into the entire context of the album from whence it came. And not just in context with respect to the songs that immediately surround it on that recording, but also learning a little more about what drove him to create this song? A story he once heard? A dream? A particularly dark point in his life? ("some are bound to fail" referring to his failed marriage?, or failure at staying sober?) It's tough for me to digest as a standalone single. Seems that it would not have been intended to be heard that way. All the same, the spare, eerie words work well, as do the layers of accompanying effects and voices. I like the song OK, but I would like to hear more of that album (and more Bowie in generaL). On a side note-this song is very similar, musically, to one on McCartney's Back to the Egg. Winter Rose/Love Awake.

2. That's the Way: I DO remember hearing the song at Camden Coffee, you dog! The band was "Bridgeling." At the time, I definitely was familiar with the song, but couldn't place it. A really pleasant acoustic journey, but with neat echo-ey electric notes wailing about in response. A neat effect. I love that line about the dead fish, too. Boy, LZ can really run the gamut, lyric-wise, can't they? They've got some classics and some stinkers. Not sure I would have read in the activism notes Mixdorf did to the words, but I can definitely see at as a possibility. Anyone else going to mention the really nice ending for the song? The little half-ascent, accompanied by bass? A nice little finsh.

3. A Most Peculiar Man: Funny! Were I to have guessed at 10 songs that Gibbons would have had on his collection, not even knowing the theme, I would have included this one. Gibbs and this song go way, way back. I think it's partly that he goes way back with any of the LPs that were in the orange crates at the on-campus Indiana State housing unit of JW & Deanna in the mid-70s. But I think he also, at a younger age, really really was drawn to and feeling a connexion to a number of songs that dealt with a theme of "peculiarity" and/or of being misunderstood. With much admiration and all due respect for the man that Pat Gibbons has become, in 8th grade he WAS the Most Peculiar Man. As for me, I've always thought it a nice song, but not close to being one of my favorites of S&G. Listening a number of times to this collection has not really changed my thoughts on that. I do think the "brother somewhere" is a kind of neat addition; the kind of thing meant to make people look at themselves in the mirror and saym "Gosh, I hope I'm not neglecting any Most Peculiar Men in my life..."

4. Caroline Says II: I did not recognize Ansley Dunbar on the drums. Funny, he would have joined Journey about a year after Berlin. Wonder if there's anything to read into that...Right away, I recognized the reworking of Stephanie Says, which I prefer as a song. What is it about friends calling these girls "Alaska?" Anyone else know much Leonard Cohen? I don't necessarily, but the arrangement in this song really reminds me a lot of what I do know. Gibbs, did you pick this song because it has an immensely powerful effect on you, or partly because you knew you needed Lou Reed in a poignant collection, and this song seemed to most fit the bill. I think the words are (as is usual with Reed) are a sort of hyper-reality; sort of like, dealing with "real" issues, but doing so to such an extreme that it approaches the unreal. I like the words, but the slowish, loose arrangement doesn't do a ton for me. Certainly doesn't pick me up. Like Bowie, this song might be another that (for me) would benefit from a little context. I might well really like the album (is this the album with "Mary Queen of Scots?"), but as a standalone song, there's Reed & VU songs I like much better.

5. Photograph: Ah, yes. Another college staple. I remember, shortly after my introduction to The Beatles (sort of like when Homer's mom gets introduced to Joe Namath), and I'm still reeling from this new, mind-blowing world of music, Gibbons takes me on out to Peeple's Records & Tapes (hopefully re-named since then) and picks up a copy of "Blast From Your Past." I was fascinated. Who was this Ringo guy, anyway? Why was he so upset and distressed over the jiggling he was doing on the front cover, and what sort of secret had he learned in settling in for the ride and smiling during the jiggling on the back cover? And why did this 30-something man do a cover of "You're 16, You're Beautiful, and You're Mine?" Anyway, this song was a hit in the "pick hit" era. Straight-ahead pop, and catchy pop, at that. I going to just say it: I think there's a good chance that every song that was attributed to Ringo (e.g. Octopuses Garden, this one) were really written by someone else. There, I said it. But whoever wrote it, very nice song. I really like when the blats by the tuba and the booms on the timpani come in and the orchestration picks up near the end. Gibbs, George Martin there? Damn, there's a lot of things happening in this song. How many tracks? 32? 64? 128?

6. Thorn in My Side: Anyone else think of Sinead's "Emperor's New Clothes" when they hear this? Both being a bit uncharacteristically (for the respective artists) upbeat musical pop songs each masking uncomfortable lyrics and guaranteeing T-Clogs toes to tappin'. I think the "you gave me such a bad time..." spoken words near the beginning are very funny; a nod to the producer-created girl groups in the early 60s ("It's My Party," "My Boyfriend's Back," etc.) My, but she has a lovely, emotive voice. I love the chord change at the first "I should have known better," and her delivery of "To runaway from you, is all that I can do" gives me chills. Saxamaphone seems just a little out of place, but I guess it was the 80s, right? On a side note, on hair & figures: I think Annie Lennox's red hair and stark white skin scared 7th grade Dan just a bit, and then when Dave Stewart started strumming a bow across her bodysuited figure in the prow of a scull; well, that was just too much.

7. Thinking About You: An OK song, but somehow the hook just never quite landed with me. I agree that there is passion in the voice and in the instrumentation, but I just never got my head around the tune in a way that moved me. I did like the approach on the words; sort of reminded me of the old country song, "Success," though a lot more esoteric. "Success" was basically just saying stuff like, "You have no time to love me anymore, nowthat fame and fortune knocked upon your door." That's how I see these words, anyway. She's not just left him cause the relationship is over, she's left him and gone on to bigger and better things. A kick to the nuts after the punch to the gut. A later thought: Rather than a past boyfriend, what if this song is written from the standpoint of a nobody that is obsessed with a star? Just some potential stalker?
8. The End of the Spoon: Good Lord, this could have almost been an out-take of a "That's the Way" recording session! Am I the only one to see this? If you were to tell me I would mistake Dave Matthews' voice for Robert Plant's, I'd tell you you're crazy. But the tune, the instrumentation, the singing, all very similar! Anyway, an OK little ditty, really made by the words. Yes, quite poignant, but could it be that it is worse than you think. "Goodbye for now," perhaps the person who brought you in from the cold is now killing you. Jesus. I did like the name "The End of the Spoon" when I thought that was the actual name of the song, rather than it just being the end of a song called, "The Spoon." Boy, so, if you're dying, perhaps you're being fed something poisonous with...a spoon? Undertones not unlike The Cure's Lullabye.

9. We Live Again: For me, the crown jewel discovery of the collection. I did not previously know it, and now I love it. He is quite a little master, isn't he? I don't see it in the comments, but I thought someone ventured the idea that it might well have been Gibbons that penned these words, so like his they seem to be. I concur. Very Gibbonsy metaphors & imagery. And fantastic, the words. The kind of words I wish I could write, but can't even approach. Hard to pick a favorite line from such a feast, but I'd have to go with: Over the hill, a desolate wind/Turns shit to gold and blows my soul crazy. Unique arrangement and melody, but not for the sake of pushing boundaries; simply because they are of the rare sort where you believe the song was out there in the breasts of God somewhere, just waiting for someone to put it together in just this way. Great melodic progression. Great harmony. This, by my reckoning, is a fucking perfect song.

10. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You: Well, AJ pushes the envelope on the 10-song frontier, and Gibbs does the same on the 2-songs by same artist frontier! I think this is a really neat song. Classic LZ, with a really dynamic contrast between the plinky acoustic and the crashing electric, a lot of "babys" and vocal wailing. Very emotive singing & playing. A stuffed-shirt doctorate in poetry might make the mistake of dismissing these words as trite. The Coalescent Music Club (I'm hoping) understands pure, ultimate rock n' roll lyrics when they read them. Baby, baby, I don’t wanna leave you/I ain’t jokin’ woman, I got to ramble. Are you kidding me?? And (though not until I did my final, headphones in a dark room listen) I did hear it calling him at 1:41.

Thanks for the collection, MT. It may well be that this will change in future listens, but I do feel there is a little less cohesion (aside from the topical sort of theme), song to song, than in some of the earlier collections. For me, anyway. Just seemed a little less of an album-album. But definitely great as a jumping off point or kick in the seat of the pants to continue my exploration of all these artists (who really, aside from Dave Matthews, are all on my "must add more to collection" list).

BS: No surprise after my words above, but "We Live Again." It is my "Such Great Heights."
SIWHI: Hard believing someone who knows "Scorn Not His Simplicity" (Sinead) would not have included it. Also surprised, knowing your own poignant connection with "Miss Claire Remembers" (Enya), you would not have included it. That is, unless your feelings about that song were only mockery on your part.

T-clog's Comments on Minnesota Connections

Minnesota Connection: Volume 3 (Johnson, November 05')

Holiday - The Hopefuls: This song has a great beat to tap your toe to. The lyrics are creative and helps to take you back to past holiday events. This song at the same time spins you forward making you hunger for future holidays. This song catches my ear, and I enjoy the song every time that I hear it. This song also flips me back into time because I can't help but to think of the many winter vacations that I spent with Pat and Dan in Minneapolis. Great times, and a great start to an excellent album.

The Buckeye Tree - Quillan Roe: I will say that this is one of my favorites on this album. Damn! I like these types of songs. Are they quirky? Yes they are, but they really tickle the forester in me. I hope that guys conyinue to find songs about trees. If I could find them, then that would be a theme of mine. Imagine ten songs all about trees. I think that would be funny. Maybe Gibbs and I would be the only ones to appreciate that? Going back to this song, the lyrics are hypnotizing and enchanting. Simple and yet captivating. The harmonies are a true bonus in a song like this. When I hear this song, I am in a state of transendentalisim. I drft off to a land full of trees and I imagine what it is like to be acer negundo. The water slowly seeping through my vessels and reaching my apical meristem. I can feel the gentle breeze blowing off of the river and fluttering through my leaves. You sir found a GREAT song!

Man The Swirl of Color - Mike Brady: Sounds a lot like Lou Reed at times. The beginning of this song is lacking a hook. If I were a bass and this song was lure jigging past me, I think that I would just let it keep on jigging. There is no shiny luster, no sparkle in the paint, and the rusty smell that it leaves convices me to look for crayfish. Sorry dude, but this song is a dud.

The One That Got Away - Accident Clearinghouse: Very coutry sounding. As a random country music listener, I can appreciate the sound. His voice is not twangy or drawn back. The sound in his voice projects and is calming at the same time. I smile with this song, and I think that the lyrics are speaking from experience. Once again you have captured my ears and my mind. Good pick!

The One You're Closest To - The Ashtray Hearts: A relaxing and thought provoking tune. There are some small guitar moves that draw your ear a little closer to the song. I really enjoy those little moves at about the 02:40 mark. You can't help but to think of those closest to you, which is probably the whole main idea od singing such a song. Nothing much more to add other than it is a decent tune.

City Girl - The Owls: I like the piano in this song a lot. It would be easy to use a drum to create the beat. I say if you can accomplish it with a piano and it works with the song, then why not? There are some very quiet harmonies that are just plain good. This song makes me think of 44 playing live in Minneapolis. Why? I have no idea. I really like this song, and like the simpleness of it. keep up the great job of finding, compiling, and mixing Aaron!

Mike's Country Song - Accident Clearinghouse: Once again the country sound breaks out and treats us with a jingle. There was some talk about the title of this song earlier, but what I have to say about it is simple. In my opinion, the artist can name his or her songs whatever he or she wants. The harmoniesseem to be mocking . To me it is an easy listening tune that sparks some memories from years past. It is a fun song, and I am glad that you included it into your album. I can dig your selections Aaron. The memories that are jogged by this tune comes from my freshman days at ISU. I remember listening to KJJY out of Ankeny. Man! I listened to a lot of country back in those days.

Neutral Angel Of Fargo - Spurcut Factory Rider: First of all, i want to say that this is my second favorite song on the album. I have a tie for first place. I love Minnesota, and if the song is about Minnesota so much the better. I know that I disagree with Dan on this point, but I AM a Minnesota boy in the land of Iowa. I hope that one day I will return and make my home once again in that great state. Here is a fun little piece of trivia for you guys. Dan actually brought a bucket of soil from Minnesota for me when I bought my house. I scattered the soil over my property and baptized my land as a little annex to Minnesota. Now back to the music. This song just stirs in me great thoughts of Minnesota and my many great adventures that took place there. A very good song. I often put those three songs onto a playlist at school so that I can hear them when I am not enjoying the entire album.

Little Sunrises - Florida: What else would Florida be singing about? :) Beaches, sunshine, women in bikinis, and hurricanes is the inspiration down there. I know they are a Minnesota band for those who are about to beat me with the stupid stick. This song is alright, but does not charge mt drums. There is something very familiar about the sound. Have I heard them on the radio before? Is there another band on the radio circuit currently that has a similar sound to Florida?

10,000 Lakes - Kid Dakota: I love this song! If you have done your math correctly then you would be drawn to the conclusion that this song would get outstanding comments from T-clog. It is tied for first place in my book. I really like the guitar solos and the lyrics totally kick ass. How can anyone not like a song the mentions paul Bunyan? "In Minnesota again for the winter", crystalizes chilly memories in my mind and builds a warm fire in my heart. Boot hockey, Tidal Wave Video, and Dan,s KSTP friends getting there asses kicked in football.

Bonus: Griddle-Cake Joey (AC): Funny and a great bonus track. Not much of a fan of pancake songs, but I appreciate the fun in adding a light hearted bonus. Flip me over, I am ready to listen to this album again!

Review: Hot Dog! What a great album! If a person wants a true taste of Minnesota take a listen to Minnesota Connections. Aaron has compiled songs that are fun, thougt provoking, and charming. When I finish listening to this album, I long for my next trip back to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Even though I really enjoy and listen to each of the albums a lot, I have to say that I listen to Aaron's the most. Just a damn great album!